Whitney Houston cut her teeth as a Gospel singer, backing up her mother, Gospel singer Cissy Houston. Whitney’s voice at her peak was powerful yet seemed effortless. The isolated voice track tweeted by Matt Maher is incredible, and check out the video of Whitney at the Grammys tweeted by Sandi Patty (above).

“Cried myself thru LAX but am composed enough now to say that Whitney was my musical hero growing up. I have faith she now rests in Peace.” and “Oh my gosh. Landed in LA & had over 20 texts telling me horrible news. Say it isn’t true. #WhitneyHouston” — @mandisaofficial

“As a young girl, I remember 1st time I ever stood in a studio. What was that 1st song I recorded? Whitney Houston’s Greatest Love Of All” and “As I’m standing on red carpet for a pre-Grammy party, I learn that 1 of my greatest musical influences has died. Hard to smile.” @nataliegrant

“Sitting in the dressing room listening to “I Wanna Dance With Somebody.” Her voice was effortless. — @BartMillard

“Whitney Houston, you’ll be missed. God gave you an incredible gift.” — @lecrae

Ben Utecht, a tight end for the Cincinnati Bengals, has just released a self-titled CD, and describes his music as a Christian fusion of passionate vocals (think Josh Groban) with a contemporary side to it. Photo special to The Denver Post

Being injured is nothing new to Cincinnati Bengals tight end Ben Utecht, who missed Sunday’s game against the Broncos with a concussion. But what Utecht does know is that good things resulted from his past injury — a sports hernia his senior year at the University of Minnesota led to him being signed by the Indianapolis Colts, and because of his Indy connections some “amazing” doors are opening for him. Not only in football, but in the music industry. Utecht, a budding Christian musician, recently released his first CD, a self-titled soft rock worship record on Sandi Patty’s new label, Stylos Records. In a Q&A session, Utecht explains his journey from the University of Minnesota to the Super Bowl to Nashville.

Q: Coming out of college, you were not drafted.

A: No, not drafted. I was suppose to be from 15th to 42nd pick and I had a serious injury my senior year, a pretty bad sports hernia, and it took me out of the draft. It was crushing, and I didn’t know what was going to happen.

But it’s really one of my miracle stories, because two months prior to the draft I spoke at one of these Athletes in Action events with Tony Dungy. We both went to the same college, University of Minnesota. I remember getting up before everybody and razzing him a little bit, saying, “You know coach, us alums have to stick together so if you have the opportunity to draft me go right ahead. Feel free.” And he got up and said, “We would love to but we just drafted Dallas Clark.” And this is no lie, then he said in front of everybody, “But I promise you if for some reason you slip through the cracks, which I don’t think you will, but if you do I’ll be the first to call.”

I’m a Denver Post sports copy editor, who covers Christian music in my spare time. I’m a rocker at heart. Grew up listening to Led Zeppelin, The Who ... classic rock is what they call it now. I was introduced to Christian rock by my cousin, Sharon. My first Christian rock experience was Atlanta Fest when I saw this new group — Third Day — playing in front of about 50 people at an outdoor picnic area.